The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-11
THE GRANT-HANCOCK TIFF,
A Quarrel Dating Back to the Time VINE
They Were Lieutenants.


They Were Lieutenants.
Washington Letter.
well known ma or general in the army this
evening gave the true story of the original quar-
rel between Grant and Hancock. He said: 1.-THE
facts, familiar some of us, and as related by
contemporaneous army officers, VINO. like my
self, met the Russell and Dent families and
young Lieutenants Grant and Hancock years
ago i'll St. Louis, briefly stated, are these: The
Russell family. then living in St Louis, was
rich, becoming profitable army contracts
which Miss Russeils father had obtained from
the United States government during and after
the Mexican war. The Dent family, then
siding in the suburbs of ST Louis, were poor
The Russell family entertained splendidIy
The Dent family did not minele in the society
of that city. but lived numbly and frugally
The young iieutenants and captains of our reg
ular army, who coveted riches and were fond of
elegant society, visited the Russells.' admired
and some courted the rich and accomplished
Miss Russell
The gay young officers who coveted riches did
not seek Miss Dent and, therefore, it said.
she became just little bit envious of the much
sought rich young lady. A superb" youug Off
GER won and carried off the ''rieh prize" Lieut..
Winfield Scott Hancock married Miss Russell.
poor. and not then very prepossessing young
officer found favor in the eyes and won the heart
of the more humble young lady. Lieut. Ulysses
S. Grant married Miss Dent Though, for many
years thereafter, the homes of those two fami-
lies were separated by hundreds of miles, yet
the members were not lost sight of each to the
other. Hancock became personally popular with
the people of his home in Pennsylvania. and ad-
vanced creditauly in the military service, while
Grant, not thus favored by fortune, got out of
the army and struggled in poverty.
Now added the maj or-general, with en-
phasis, there in that protraeted contrast Of po
stions was planted the seed. long dormant, from
which sprung the Grant Hancock quarrel-envy.
Immediately upon the close of the war of the
Rebellion Hancock was placed in military charge
of the District of Columbia, with quarters in
Washington The quartermaster in charge OF
the District, whose official duty it was to provide
Hancock with quarters for his family residence,
rented choice dwelling house in Washington
for that purpose and General and Mrs. Hancock
moved into it. There they were residing when
| along came from Virginia General Grant and
| his family. Grant outranked Hancock as mill
| tary commander. According to military rule
| the superior officer in rank has the absolute
| choice of quarters and can, if he will, take pos.
session of those already occupied by his inferior.
"Nirs. Grant, looking around for a residence
| for family, came upon the house in which Mrs.
Hancock was living. Mrs Grant told her hus-
| to occupy that house. General Grant SO in
| formed the quartermaster, and the latter, as was
his official duty, accordingly made known to
| General Hancock that his family must vacate
| the premises. Hancock wrote q letter to Grant
deprecatne that action, reInarking, among other
| things, that there were numerous dwelling
| houses in Washington equally. and some more,
desirable to be had for the asking. Grant replied
| in terms which Hancock regarded as discount
/ eous, and in some sentences decidedly offensive.
/ The Hancccks Immediately vacated the coveted
| heusa and the Grants moved into it.
s'Some time thereafter, on Fifteenth street, in
| front Of tho Treasury Departments building
| Grant and Hancock met The former. as be
afterward stated, was prepared to salute the lat
/ ter. and indicated his purpose. General Han
cock observed General Grant, but in marked
manner refused to speak. and passed on. This
| occurrence becoming publicly known some days
thereafter, General Sherman voluntarily inter
| posed as mediator. A written correspondence
between Sherman and Hancock followed, but NJ
reconciliation ever took place between Gran
and Hancock. though Grant frequently ex
| pressed his regret at the estrangement Time
removed the ascerbity of Hancocks resentment
and he, as We know, was one of the most con
spicuous among the distinguished men who at
tended the funeral of General Grant,